Tag Archives: instrumental

Hello Kittens and dawgs! I’m gonna keep today’s post short. It’s Sunday after all! 😉 My last BoTB showdown was lopsided big time, not at all like I expected. I figured one of the artists would carry more votes than the other but most of them? No, no, no! Did I do a poor job throwing BBC in the ring with the Shoo-Bop Girls?

The winner of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” showdown is…. you guessed it, The Shoo-Bop Girls! I’ll leave ya with this short playlist.

The fun continues with more epic battles underway and I invite you to visit the official manager of BoTB, Stephen for the update list of players.

I hope you’ll join me tomorrow on the dance floor for “car or truck or boat” songs with the Monday’s Music Moves Me gang!

Good-morning, I hope you enjoy my mewsic arrangement of Rue du Soleil. The first track on my playlist I stumbled on I’m not sure how but REALLY liked it and knew I had to share it with my kittens & dawgs!

First thing I need to say I’m sorry to a young gal somewhere in Knoxville. Yesterday, she popped her head out of the car window exclaiming, “YOU LOOK NICE!” I really appreciated the compliment a lot! I mean what girl doesn’t right? I smiled politely saying “Thank you” but way too low-keyed and I know that didn’t tell this young gal how much it meant to me. So… if you’re out there reading this (probably not)… I’m sorry and you’re sweet to let me know!

Speaking of looking nice, DH came home last night with three new blouses for me. Man! Oh, man, am I ever a lucky girl! I feel so undeserving of his special treatment and makes me feel like real princess. He’s such a sweetheart. I think I’ll keep him! 😉

For a couple of years we wanted to go to Nashville to knock around and finally made it last Friday, we took in the shops on Opry Mills Drive. This is a very touristy area with the Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Opryland on the premise of the very large…I mean HUGE outlet mall. Anyway we had loads of fun browsing around when who should we see but….

TAYLOR SWIFT!

There she stood bigger than life posing in front of a shop. I, immediately pulled out my brand new iPhone8 to capture the moment. I mean, it’s not every day you see a celebrity camera ready like this but then…

I didn’t, either!

The Opry Mills shopping center is the nicest outlet mall I’ve visited and it’s amazing that it has a Madame Tussauds. The waxed figures are unbelievably life-like. I examined Taylor’s hand closely and the details was incredible. That’s George Strait on the right and I believe behind him is Rihanna. We did not enter the musuem due to short on time and a whole of calaustrophobia, you’re invading my personal space to battle that I did not want to even think about going inside just yet. Maybe another day I’ll be willing to go. Why there’s even an aquarium inside the mall!

I’ve been waiting to take a picture of neon fish forever and finally got to snap a few pictures. Aren’t the colors gorgeous?

On our way back to the car, we stopped at Johnny Rockets for to-go order. Isn’t it cool? I love the retro feel of this place!

I’m not going to lie to you this place is expensive or at least we think it is. We shelled out almost nineteen bucks for one burger, an order of fries, and a chocolate milkshake. The quantity was normal, not super-sized or anything. Don’t get me wrong, it was enough food for the two of us. We always share a meal because generally a single meal is too much for me. For the price the food quality wasn’t superior. We think Five Guys or Shake & Steak is at least as good if not better and almost half the price. But…it was fun nonetheless and we’re happy that we tried them.

We have plans to return to Nashville. I can’t say when we’ll make another trip or even if it’ll be this year but when we do again we’ll want to come back to this mall.

Let me just say, I’m fed up with the NFL. I mean, who isn’t? These multi-million dollar players who refuse to show respect for those who bled and died for this country to protect the freedoms that they enjoy today are pompous so-and-so. If I was a woman of strong language then I might choose to call them other things but “pompous so-and-so” will suffice. All I have to do is say, shame on you for taking a knee when the national anthem plays! You’re entitled to your opinion but your job isn’t to toss your political views my way. If I were the team owner(s) then I’d have a serious talk with the coaches stating in no uncertain terms to get the players under control least they face a hefty penalty – loss wages, fine, whatever it takes to stop this punch in the face of every veteran or fallen soldier and every patriotic American. After all money has a way of changing a person attitude if nothing else temporarily. I’d love to see these athletes have a change of heart but get this while the guys are making a show of themselves on national TV I want to commend an organization who supports the national anthem. Let’s hear for The Lingerie Football League!

Let me go on record, I am not a fan of most women’s sports but I TOTALLY respect these gals taking a strong stand and showing the the NFL how it’s done. Hey boys…the girls are doin’ it better than you! You’re getting your back-end whipped good on this one!! What do you think of that?

Let’s make the most of our opinion, if you have a beef with the NFL doin’ this and you know the names of teams and players who disrespect our flag and national anthem then leave it in comments for others to see. I noticed yesterday in comments on XmasDolly’s site that team members of the @Ravens did this over the weekend and recently DH shared that the @Steelers refuse to come out of the locker room for the national anthem, except Alejandro Villanueva a former Army Ranger Captainbroke pack to be on the field. That takes a lot of backbone. Way to go Alexjandro! Whenever I watch football these days, I root for the team who is the least offender. I hate that sponsors are pulling their support but am glad at the same time. Obviously the sponsors are listening to the feedback. I do not want to see the NFL destroyed but it’s the players, the coaches, and other supporters who’ll be the undoing of an iconic sport IF this continues.

Don’t forget to change the HASHTAG for the football team or player you want to shame.

Before I go, I want to let all the families affected in Las Vegas shooting Sunday evening that we’re praying for you. This is a senseless act perpetrated by a very bad person taking 59 lives and inflicting harm on countless others. It’s heartbreaking that there’s so much evil in the world and it keeps getting closer to home. People can’t find inner peace anymore because they have their have turned their hearts away from God, placing their hopes in just about everything else, except the Lord. Jesus is the way, folks! May God heal the injured and comfort the shattered lives!

This is what the hop hostess says… I got this idea from Glamour magazine. You can link up any day of the week. All you have to do is make a list of what you’re okay about. Simple! Please do not link up a post that has nothing to do with “Hey, It’s Okay”. It’s rude.

It’s okay….to have an opinion but choosing when and where to give it requires discretion. NFL players taking the knee is a fine example of a need to hold off on moment. They are paid to do a job just like anyone and their job is to entertain and to provide a brief distraction for the fans from the world. Will your employer let you mouth off or embarass the company just because things aren’t purrfect politically, socially, emotionally, or financially? I didn’t think so! What do you think your boss or company would do to you, if you disgraced or misrepresented their views? I think you might get a little pink slip or heck, maybe a big ole…”YOU’RE FIRED!”

It’s okay…to take an extended blogging hiatus. Many of my blogger friends have stepped away temporarily, hopefully, because they’ve lost that blogging feeling and this definitely, “Hey’ It’s Okay” moment because once blogging resembles a chore then the fun is gone, gone, gone.

It’s okay…to respond to and do return visits at your pace. Rushing either turns blogging into a chore. I think this is what happens to us all. We get under the gun, no doubt of our own doing at least this is in the way it is with me, to push ourselves beyond our limit which results in blog burn out. I’m like hey, it’s okay take it easy. I’m not going anywhere, just get to me when you can.

That’s a wrap for this morning. I’m taking a coffee break with Les from Ink Interrupted for Tuesday Coffee Chat and linking with Stacy for Random Tuesday Thoughts . You’re welcome to come with and if not, I hope you’ll come by tomorrow for not-so Wordless Wednesday.

Per my promise, I’m back to my normal blogging routine pretty much. I’m a bit undecided how I want to handle my participation in this meme yet. Do I continue with playing twice a month or keep it simply to only the first of mid-month?

I reckon I don’t have to decide that now and can make a decision as the first of October nears but for now let’s get this show started! Today’s battle song was inspired by last month’s total solar eclipse phenomena. Yeah, you know where I’m going with this one, don’t you, kittens and dawgs?

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Jim Steinman turned 34-years old earlier this year by Welsh recording sensation, Bonnie Tyler. This was Tyler’s biggest career song, earning her a spot at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart making her the first Welsh artist to ever do this! Here’s the original for your enjoyment, please refrain from voting on this version. It’s not part of the battle showdown.

I felt most vocal arrangements of Bonnie’s song just couldn’t compete, so I went another route and decided to find three distinct instrumental arrangements for your enjoyment to consider.

Contender #1 – a violin cover…

Contender #2 – a guitar cover…

Contender #3 – a panflute cover…

I like each version for the way it stirs my emotions. The violin arrangement is a bigger production feel where the guitar and panflute melodies are simplier. The violin makes me think action, the guitar makes me think mystery, and the panflute makes me think of love. I’ll let you know which I choose next week when I share the results. 😉

What did you think? Which do you like the violin, guitar, or panflute version best? Leave your vote in comments and if you want share why your pick got named.

Did you like this edition of BoTB? Would you like to see what others are sharing? Check with Stephen for the list of participants. Before I dash, let me leave you with a few giggles and remember to hit the dance floor on Monday’s Music Moves Me with “your choice” song picks. I’ll share the outcome of this showdown next week same time!

Hello, Kitten & Dawgs, thanks for sticking with me this month for the A2Z Art Sketching Through the Alphabet! This isn’t the first time I’ve shared Dan’s song “Treehouses” and it’s a purrfect fit for today’s letter prompt, “T”.

For as long as I remember I always wanted a treehouse. How about you? Would you like to have one like this?

Did you have a treehouse or do you know someone who has one? Have you ever stayed in a treehouse on vacation?

Mondays are all about the mewsic and I can’t let it pass without sharing some tunes with ya and you’re invited to step out on the dance floor with the Monday Music Moves Me ladies – Marie, Stacy, Colette, and myself!

This week’s mewsic theme is “A to Z letter “T” or “Songs about Traveling” submitted by Spotlight dancer, The Sound of One Hand Typing. Thanks, John!

Please note, I do not manage the below linky. I am only a co-host. This is XmasDolly’s little baby and is meant for mewsic participation only. To keep your entry from being removed, please add No ? beside your name. Thanks! ?

Hopefully, what I share with you every day will encourage you to do something that interests you that you’ve long put off because like me you just don’t think you can. My advice is, just do it! Maybe, you’ll be surprised. I know I was! 🙂

Good morning, Kittens and Dawgs! Before I launched into my mewsic choices today, I want to share next month’s A-Z theme – Art Sketching through the Alphabet.

After I started college and then moved from career life to motherhood my artist ability (what little I had) sorta vanished. I did some doodling while the kids were small but my mind was not devoted to it and I couldn’t nurture these interests. So, it fell by the wayside until last year and that’s when I had an awakening to rekindle the glimmer buried within and it stunned me to see there is still hope! I am challenging myself to sketch anything that captures my eye using the daily alphabet prompt. I’m not sure how well this will translate but perhaps if nothing else it will encourage others to massage a dormant talent to life. I hope you’ll decide to join me each day as I share a bit of me with you A-Z!

What mewsic moves you today? ?

I have scheduled posts set for the rest of the week for your enjoyment and my convenience but something came up last Tuesday that shocked my world. I can’t talk about it because I don’t like airing publicly sensitive things and I find myself struggling to stay on top of this storm-tossed sea but all I can do is, ask for prayers for DS.

I’ll do my best to make my rounds and I hope to see you back for Tuesday Tunesation!!

Thank you for including me in your Monday, kittens & dawgs! ? My friend, XmasDolly who puts on the Monday’s Music Moves Me ? linky party is a bit short-handed and I volunteered to co-host as long for as long as she needs me. You’re invited to hit the dance floor.

My mewsic pleasure is all over the place sometimes. This morning I felt a bit mellow and felt the beautiful native American flute mewsic fit what I needed which led me down the path to finding suitable tunes to relax the soul.

One more thing, if you’re the creative type and looking for more memes to connect with then Impulsive Artistry hosts the Monday meme Feeling Inspired? where you can share your photography, crafts, mewsic, and more posts. What mewsic are you listening to lately? ?

In my Sunny with a touch of Soul #BoTB showdown between Stevie Wonder and the James Brown and Mara Whitney duet, there was no contest. So, there’s no wonder that the winner is Stevie Wonder (15 to 1) which includes my vote for Mr. Wonder. Thanks Debbie for making sure my battle wasn’t a shutout! 🙂

This is Curious as a Cathy signing off with a touch of soothing Wonder for your soul.

Normally, I do not post on Sunday Kittens & Dawgs but it’s mid-January and this means it’s time for another Battle of the Bands showdown. Recently, Tom reminded me of an oldie I had forgotten but apparently I have an emotional attachment to. Perhaps something good happened to me the first time I heard it or maybe I just like it because of the poetic lyrics.

Sunny
Thank you for the sunshine bouquet
Sunny
Thank you for the love you brought my way
You gave to me your all and all
And now I feel ten feet tall
Sunny one so true, I love you

Whatever the reason, today, I’m featuring Bobby Hebb’s original Sunny with a touch of soul.

Sunny is one of the most performed and recorded songs with more than two hundred versions. In August 1966, Sunny peaked the Billboard Hot 100 charts at #2.

Did you know Hebb wrote the lyrics to Sunny following two major tragedies? JFK’s assissination and the stabbing death of his older brother. According to Hebb, he chose to have a sunny disposition over the lousy one he felt in the wake of the devastation over his brother’s death. One that many of us can learn from and aspire toward when faced with loss, pain, or general problems.

Hebb has said about “Sunny”: “All my intentions were to think of happier times and pay tribute to my brother – basically looking for a brighter day – because times were at a low. After I wrote it, I thought ‘Sunny’ just might be a different approach to what Johnny Bragg was talking about in ‘Just Walkin’ in the Rain.'”

Voting is open to everyone visiting. There is NO wrong vote, except if you DON’T vote. You can start by telling me in comments which artist you like best and why (optional).

The fun continues with more epic battles underway and I invite you to visit the official manager of BoTB, Stephen for the update list of players. I’ll share the results of this battle in my January 23rd Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me post and if you like mewsic then I invite you to hit the dance floor with me tomorrow with the 4M crew.

This is Curious as a Cathy signing off an instrumental take on this oldie classic for your enjoyment only. 😉